North Vancouver's own political BLOG dedicated to North Vancouver's political players and the decisions that shape our community.

Thursday, May 08, 2014

Mayoralty Contest in North Vancouver City could be closer than most people think

By Bill Bell

I like Mayor Darrell Mussatto; we have known each other since he was first elected to City council in the 90’s. Yes we have had our differences ...but for the most part he is a friendly and hardworking Mayor of the City.

Last election Mussatto cleaned house against his two opponents, out stripping them with campaign donations, organizational support, and endorsements from key voting sectors; clobbering them with ballot support from North Vancouver voters. He garnered 73.8 per cent of the vote.Mussatto, since the last election has not changed much, a little grayer but he is still the small “l” liberal (with socialist tendencies) who also hasn’t met a developer he did not like. This coming Fall, Mussatto should not have any problems being reelected? Right? Wrong.His opponent Kerry Morris, has long ties to the community. He grew up with City politic in his blood - His father Frank sat on council for one term with me in the late 80’s, and before that Frank virtually ran the City as head of development service. Simply put Kerry is running as hard as any candidate I’ve seen. He is running the old fashioned way, pressing the flesh, shaking hands, passing out election cards and leaflets and telling everyone that something is out whack at City Hall and he can fix it.His biggest stick is his attempt to tie Mussatto and Councillor Keating to campaign donations by big developers and in particular Onni - the developer of the huge Safeway site at 13th and Lonsdale. He taints them as politicians with a conflict of interest at the worst and ethically challenged at best.I will give Kerry full marks for hard work; he is everywhere on the campaign trail and the election is well over 6 months away. I’ve only met him briefly and I certainly was not swayed but then again I think I will watch with interest as this aggressive, no holds barred upstart progresses on the campaign trail. Perhaps some of his arrogance will soften and his messaging become clearer.So why is Mussatto in trouble? Normally I would say the Mayor is safe barring some unforeseen scandal but in this case Mussatto’s biggest weakness is himself…or better stated, Mussatto is just too confident and overconfidence is a politician’s greatest weakness.Mayor Barbara Sharp was considered both overconfident and arrogant when Mussatto defeated her 3 elections ago. Like Sharp, Mussatto is losing touch with the electorate and just doesn’t see it when the people on the street say he is “in the pocket of the developers.” There is a repetitive chorus out there that he gives away too much (density increases) to “his friends in the development community”.The anti-development forces in the city are usually not enough to boot a popular mayor out office, but in this election a perfect storm is developing around the increased density issue. The North Vancouver School board wants to up-zone two properties in two different City neighborhoods. Residents in Cloverly and Hamilton Heights are up in arms over the potential of large scale developments on those properties.And although City staff have recently reduced its proposed density increases in the Official community Plan, some City councilors are attempting to paint Mussatto, Keating and Councillor Linda Buchanan as wanting increases in OCP density.These Team Mussatto councilors were unsuccessful in pushing forward with the OCP decision allowing the whole development debate into the election process. You got to think there is a conspiracy on behalf of some council members to nail Mussatto, Keating and Buchanan as density increase loving politicians.Combine that perception with developer big buck donations that was given to Team Mussatto and I say the Mayor is going have a real fight on his hands.

I think and hope that a lot of municipal councils throughout Metro Vancouver will not be re-elected. People are sick and tired of development after development being approved at the expense of low rental units and in favour of big developer $$$.

I just drove from the North Shore to Queen Elizabeth Park and back today and it is a mess of construction zones that don't give a RA about each other. And the anger of the drivers is palpable. The mess called Sealynn Village is an incompetent jumble of noise and blockades and people directing traffic who don't appear to have a clue what they're doing.

Correction for the link to Kerry Morris' website: http://kerrymorris.ca/

Idiotic comments like 10.57pm are not contributing anything to the discussion. People I've spoken to are thrilled that there is a credible candidate to oppose the current mayor who has passed the best before date.

I know the charge you reference in relation to Morris was dismissed and the two officers who brought those charges went on leave, and later left the force.

The file discloses that the Sears action was won by Morris and related to Sears failure to perform against a failed roof warranty contract. He proposed a $5,100 settlement but was awarded and paid $13,000 by Sears when they refused the initial settlement and forced the matter to trial.

So let me get this straight. Two police officers conspired against you and charged you with failure to provide and care and control while impaired and you were so compelling in court that they decided to change careers?

Court Services Online can be very interesting at times, you are right that it doesn't tell the whole story but it certainly frames the discussion nicely at times.

When it comes to politicians I am hard on them and if they pass the test then I am very supportive of them.

Kerry Morris seems like he generally has his priorities right and apparently has the diligence to see something through, but Mayor is a special role where the person must know the right thing to do generally and have the humility to receive and consider other options anyway. Morris' hubris is dripping through his articles on his website, but can he sit in front the lowest resident, check his ego, and listen. If he can't then he is just another waste of time.

The only people who seem to care about posting under their names are the ones who have a political agenda and seek name recognition. Some of us just wish to discuss the issues and don't feel there is any need to expose our identities to some of the wing-nuts who frequent this blog.

Anon 2:36 said "The content of each post is what is important - not who posted it".

Anon 3:01 said "Some of us just wish to discuss the issues and don't feel there is any need to expose our identities to some of the wing-nuts who frequent this blog."

I would suggest that "who" is commenting says a lot about "what" they are saying".

You might want to read Theodore Roosevelt's quote re "The Man in The Arena":

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles,or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man whois actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strivesvaliantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort withouterror and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows greatenthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the bestknows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at leastfails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid soulswho neither know victory nor defeat."

"Theodore Roosevelt – “The Man in the Arena” excerpt from “Citizenship in a Republic” speech (given in Paris, France April 23, 1910)

The poorest way to face life is to face it with a sneer. There are many men who feela kind of twister pride in cynicism; there are many who confine themselves to criticism ofthe way others do what they themselves dare not even attempt. There is no more unhealthybeing, no man less worthy of respect, than he who either really holds, or feigns to hold, anattitude of sneering disbelief toward all that is great and lofty, whether in achievement orin that noble effort which, even if it fails, comes to second achievement. A cynical habitof thought and speech, a readiness to criticise work which the critic himself never tries toperform, an intellectual aloofness which will not accept contact with life’s realities - allthese are marks, not as the possessor would fain to think, of superiority but of weakness.They mark the men unfit to bear their part painfully in the stern strife of living, who seek,in the affection of contempt for the achievements of others, to hide from others and fromthemselves in their own weakness. The role is easy; there is none easier, save only the roleof the man who sneers alike at both criticism and performance.

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles,or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man whois actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strivesvaliantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort withouterror and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows greatenthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the bestknows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at leastfails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid soulswho neither know victory nor defeat."

ps If you want name recognition amongst the masses for voter appeal it is not going to be by writing on this blog. As much as I enjoy the comments of the contributors it is made up of people who have already made up their minds.

Unless the previous Anon is referring to full fledged posting privileges such as Barry Reuger has then I suggest he/she is mistaken. As an example to use a handle like 'Griffin' divulges no personal info. whatsoever. I have no idea who Griffin is. The only thing is anyone could actually use Griffin's name so you can't be 100% sure who it is.

P.S. Having said that, I have no reason to think any of the comments made by Griffin are anyone but Griffin.

John, unfortunately the scenario you describe did happen here in the past. I used to post using a 'handle' and, frequently, one particularly nasty individual with differing views would post using my 'handle'. When there are people like that active on the blog, it gives one pause about revealing ones identity, particularly when I have no political aspirations and only wish to discuss the issues.

Kerry Morris lost my vote on Canada Day. It can be the small actions that show the true nature of a man.Briefly - I was enjoying the parade with my daughter when Morris came prancing down the street handing out flags and "whirly gigs" My daughter asked me to get one. I asked Morris if I could please have one. He looked me straight in the face and said "No, you are too old to have one". I was stunned. Why did he assume it was for me and not for my daughter? Clearly he cannot walk and think at the same time. Secondly, I thought Canada day was a celebration for all. What if it had been for me, did he mean I was too old to have fun? Clearly he has no respect or concern for older residents. Well Morris, I will still be alive at election time. And if anyone starts an "Anyone but Morris " campaign I will have plenty of energy to participate. As far as I am concerned the man is an Imbecile, a view possibly confirmed by his past encounters with the police. Apologies to all for the lengthy comment.

Very true, if the man can't even figure out how to pay a phone bill properly, and deal with isues in an adultly manner ... How the hell can he be mayor. Open your eyes,the drunk driving charges.... This man is not mentally or physically capable of being mayor

And remember Kerry's response to an April Fools joke about him and Mussatto:

Dear Mr. Pringle:

I have this morning read with interst your "Blog" in which you make various allegations of fact about myself and others in the community.

I have long held to the opinion that you should be given both a wide berth, as well as considerable latitude in relation to your conduct. I hold to these believes, not just because you have personally and directly informed me that; "if I haven't received a rumor by noon, I just make one up". I also assume that like myself, others have determined that there are issues of intellectual depth and capacity, which go beyond the issues of proper conduct which I have referenced above.

That said, I find myself unable to contemplate why you would allege quotations which you represent as my words, when in fact you know these allegations of fact as you have posted them are indeed false.

As you are well aware, making false statement leaves the person doing so exposed to legal recourse. If you wish, I am quite prepared to give you an education on the legal principles which your resent "Blog" has violated in respect of me personally. Were I to do such a thing, if would require your attendance at the BCSC, and shortly there after, at your bank to make full and legally ordered restitution.

Alternatively, you could just write me an appology and remove this nonsence from your "Blog". The choice is yours. Take all the time in the world to mull the matter over. You have until 4:00 pm today, after which I will begin the process of providing you that legal education to which I refer. Please don't inturpret my comments as a threat. They are most certainly not intended in that vain. Rather, they merely highlight a promise!

Its so sad that there are still people supporting mussatto. Anyone familiar with the microcosm of politics that is CNV knows that this dude has had his head blown up by developer "contributions" to the point that he refuses to talk to media if they write anything remotely negative about him. If his recent embarassing email to the head of the local Chamber of Commerce wasn't enough to turn people off of this dude, whats it going to take? It encompasses everything about the dirty side of politics, including mussatto bullying and making outright threats to the head of the Chamber. It read much like the letter the developer who strong-armed council to push through the over height buidling on 13th, who tried to "shame" a member of council for voting against the mega-developer breaking the rules. Stealing dirty tricks from the mega-developer? Sounds about right. Mussatto says he cares so very much about the people in the city, but has more or less say he doesn't care about the people of the district whatsoever. Short sighted thinking for a politician to alienate a voter base, but hey just because you know how to weasel doesn't make you smart. Its no mystery why he is so opposed to amalgamation, as people don't usually vote for someone after that someone tells them they don't matter.

Hmmm!!! How professional was your racing career that you mention in your bio sir??? Winning a local heat race against locals doesnt make you a professional sir!!! Ive interneted to death and faceboovked some of the westwood crowd and really cant find anything about your success to be professional??? Perhaps you have impelished a bit or are a little confused,or just looking for a sympathy vote????

So Mr.Morris wants to jump into the political arena, and right off the bat into the drivers seat of mayor!!!! I think maybe he should slow down a bit and get his feet wet as a councillor first and prove to the residents of n.van if he's worthy of their vote for mayor next time?? I have a feeling Mr.Morris doesn't play well with others!!!!!!

So Morris thinks the waterfront needs an amphitheater for outdoor concerts i live down there in the pinnicle development with others what makes him think the residents down here want to listen to various noises into the night???? Were does he think people are going to park??? And please dont try and convince us people will use transit or the sea bus, perhaps we could go and park up and down the streets in his neighbourhood!!!

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